Lee Andrews is reportedly facing the prospect of returning to prison within the next two weeks unless he clears a series of outstanding debts, with newly surfaced court documents shedding light on the financial difficulties that led to his dramatic arrest in Dubai.
The 43-year-old husband of Katie Price disappeared from public view for several weeks after being detained and imprisoned in Al Awir Central Prison. While reports linked his incarceration to fraud allegations, Lee has repeatedly maintained that he was initially held on suspicion of espionage before later being jailed over what he describes as a civil matter.
After securing his release last week and reuniting with Katie, Lee resurfaced on social media, posting videos in which he continued to reject claims of fraud. However, fresh reports suggest his legal troubles are far from over.
According to documents cited by The Sun, Lee has been granted a 14-day period by a Dubai court to settle his debts. Failure to do so could reportedly result in him being sent back behind bars.
Among the liabilities said to have triggered the arrest warrant are £54,000 connected to the hire of a rental vehicle and a further £15,000 owed to a legal firm in the United Arab Emirates.
A representative for Lee explained: “The judgement debtor appeared before the court and was questioned regarding the reason for failure to pay the debt.”
They added: “He stated his wife is currently outside the country and that he has been unable to access his bank account required to make payment. He requested a period of 14 days in order to settle the outstanding amount.”
A source claimed Lee had managed to avoid an immediate return to prison by convincing authorities he could raise the money himself.
“Lee managed to talk himself out of jail, and said he would be able to raise the capital himself,” the insider alleged.
The source continued: “He says Katie has been his rock, and helped him liaise with officials when he was banged-up – but that he hasn’t asked her to pay off any of his debts. He insists he can do that himself.”
Katie had previously warned that her husband would have some serious questions to answer regarding the wealth he has long claimed to possess. Despite those concerns, the pair are believed to have reconciled following his release.
Lee has continued to strongly deny any suggestion that fraud was behind his imprisonment. In a series of videos shared online, he insisted there was “not one shred of evidence” linking him to fraud or criminal wrongdoing.
He claimed he was detained near the Qatar border by armed men and later held in what he described as a state security facility.
“I was captured by men with assault rifles, they did slap me round a little bit,” he alleged.
“From there I was taken to a black site where I had no use of my phone and from what I know, it was an extended arm of the National Guard and that is all I can reveal at the moment. I have signed disclaimers with state security and from there I was put into the system.”
Lee added: “At no point have I faced anything to do with fraud allegations or criminal activities.”
He credited Katie for helping secure his release, saying: “Without her help involving all the UK authorities, I don’t think I would have got out of that situation.”
According to Lee, he was suspected of spying because of regional tensions and his proximity to the border.
“Because of the tensions and things happening in the region, and me being so close to the border, this is why I was suspected of espionage and held in a state security building without the use of a telephone or any rights to a shower, contact or to speak to any of my family including the embassy or my wife,” he claimed.
He later acknowledged that he did face a separate civil matter in Dubai.
“From there, I did have a civil case in Dubai which led to me going into the mainstream prison during the Arabic holidays, Eid,” he said.
Lee also addressed claims that he had taken out a £200,000 mortgage in the name of former fiancée Dina Taji without her knowledge, allegations first revealed earlier this year.
Rejecting the accusation, he declared: “There’s not one shred of evidence where I’ve taken a mortgage in somebody else’s name, particularly in my ex fiancée’s name Dina.”
“If I was to take a mortgage in somebody else’s name, wouldn’t she get that mortgage? What would I benefit from signing her name? That’s definitely not the case. So, let her bring the mortgage paper.”
He also accused another former partner, Alana Percival, of spreading damaging stories.
“This is a story that’s got out and has come from Alana,” he said.
Meanwhile, Katie Price has repeatedly stated that she will not give Lee money, despite reports claiming she was once told she would need to pay £140,000 to secure his release.
“I’ve made it clear to Lee, I will never give him money, I’ll never give a man money,” she said.
“I’ve always been the breadwinner. I said to Lee I’ll never do it.”
Although critics have questioned her decisions, Katie has insisted she is standing by her husband while refusing to be pressured by public opinion.
“Some people might not like my choices, but I’m not living for everyone else,” she said.
“I know people have been calling me stupid. I see all the trolling, I hear it. I am not stupid.”
